Kakti police have arrested three officials of Rani Channamma University in connection with an alleged financial misappropriation of more than ₹32 lakh involving employees’ Provident Fund (PF) and National Pension System (NPS) contributions.
Belagavi Police Commissioner Prakash Nikam said on Wednesday that a complaint regarding financial irregularities at the university had been filed at Kakti Police Station. Based on the complaint, police registered a case and launched an investigation into the university’s financial transactions.
The arrested accused have been identified as Assistant Registrar H.M. Murigesh, Mahesh Viresh Wali and First Division Assistant Sandeep Burli. Another accused, Ramu Hanchinal, is absconding and police are searching for him.
According to the complaint, PF amounts deducted from the salaries of employees appointed under the consolidated-pay system were allegedly not deposited into their respective accounts. Instead, the accused allegedly diverted funds to their personal bank and NPS accounts.
Under the arrangement, 10% of the employees’ salaries was deducted as their contribution, while the university was required to make an equal 10% contribution. The complaint alleges that amounts exceeding the prescribed contribution were diverted to accounts linked to the accused.
The complaint has also alleged irregularities in transactions involving various allowances and income-tax payments, resulting in financial losses to both the university and its employees.
The complaint was filed on September 8, following which Kakti police began investigating the alleged irregularities. The three arrested officials were reportedly apprehended from the Varur area near Hubballi and subsequently produced before a court, which remanded them to 14 days of judicial custody.
Police Commissioner Nikam said the investigation is continuing, with officials examining financial records, documents and transactions to establish the extent of the alleged misappropriation.
Police have also learnt that absconding accused Ramu Hanchinal is currently employed at Bagalkot University. Efforts are underway to trace and apprehend him.
The police investigation is expected to establish the total amount involved and the role of each accused in the alleged financial irregularities.